Iranian presidential politics
A Lake Forest College sociologist is quoted in the second article below as saying that, "Iranian democracy is evolving. [Political parties] are recognizing that the opposition is there and they have to negotiate."Suzanne Maloney, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, is also quoted, saying, "We are getting closer to a situation where Iran has full-fledged political parties that have specific agendas, specific leadership and clear constituencies... You have this intense, fractious debate with political groups consulting one another and positioning themselves much in the way that parties in truly open societies operate."
What would your students suggest we look for in the coming months as evidence to support or contradict those evaluations of politics in Iran?
Iran's Khatami Mulls Run for Presidency
"Former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami, an opponent of current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's policies, said Monday that he is still pondering a bid for the country's highest political office directly elected by the people..."Ahmadinejad hasn't registered yet as a candidate, but he is expected to run for a second term. If Khatami becomes a candidate, Ahmadinejad, whose management of Iran's oil-dependent economy has come under sometimes harsh criticism, would face a serious competitor...
"Khatami, a Shiite Muslim cleric, was elected twice by large majorities of the popular vote. In addition to promising more civil liberties and political freedoms, he pledged to end Iran's isolation in world affairs. By the end of his administration, many of his supporters were disappointed with his inability to fulfill those pledges. Some of his political appointees were suspected of corruption..."
Iran election raises hope for change
One of the tallest telecommunications towers in the world looms above this sprawling city, a symbol of Iran's desire for global respect.
"City officials leave no question about who should get credit for completing it: A pie chart in an official brochure shows that Tehran's mayor, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, made far more progress on the Milad Tower than his predecessor, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
"It's a sign that the battle for Iran's presidency has already begun, with Ghalibaf - who has advocated better ties with the West - hoping to be Ahmadinejad's main rival in the June 12 elections.
"During his 3 1/2-year tenure, Ahmadinejad's bombastic style has made him the face of Iranian intransigence in the West - refusing to suspend Iran's nuclear program and calling for Israel's demise. His defeat, even by a onetime hard-liner like Ghalibaf, would be welcomed by many in the West...
"Iran has more political freedom than many countries in the region. Although Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, wields great influence and appoints a 12-member council that must approve all candidates, Iranian presidents are elected by popular vote to a four-year term, during which they set the tone for policies at home and abroad...
"Although Ahmadinejad is still popular with the rural poor, his reputation has soured among some conservatives because of the country's ailing economy. He has long been despised by Iranian liberals for rolling back social freedoms and cultivating a confrontational image in the West...
Ghalibaf... mayor of... a city where Calvin Klein ads compete with portraits of war heroes and clerics... is fashioning himself as a candidate of gradual change, who can appeal to younger voters while retaining enough conservative bona fides from his days as soldier to satisfy the powerful religious elite..."Labels: elections, Iran, leadership, parties, politics
posted by Ken Wedding @ 9:37 AM
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